SCHOLASTIC BACKWARDNESS

• Scholastic backwardness is being increasingly identified as a major issue in children now a day. The child fails to perform in comparison to the average performance of the class

Factors mainly leading to scholastic backwardness:

• Physical illness
• Nutritional deficiency
• Below average intelligence
• Learning disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
• Psychiatric disorders
• Family and social factors like non cordial family atmosphere, problems with school atmosphere etc.

Usual Presentations

• Poor academic performance
• Lack of interest in reading and writing
• Difficulty with spelling
• Low mathematical skill
• Poor grasp of abstract concept
• Repeatedly failing in examinations

All these can be lead to poor self confidence, behavioral changes and stress related disorders.

• Diagnosis of scholastic backwardness is made based on information provided by parents, teachers and individual assessment of children.
• Investigative measures to rule out underlying physical or psychiatric problem should be carried out.
• A major problem in scholastic backwardness is that it contributes to school dropout, especially after the primary school years. If not identified and resolved at proper time, it will have a lifelong impact on childhood, adolescent life, employment etc

• The management strategy is planned by addressing the Physical, Psychological, Familial and Social aspects of the child
• The areas like Parenting problems, non cordial family atmosphere, sibling rivalry, history of abuse, adjustment issues with school atmosphere etc should be enquired and measures ranging from reassurance and including family counseling to legal actions should be taken according to the gravity of the problem.
• Satvavajaya Chikitsa
• In general Deepana, Pachana and krimihara medicines are advised for the initial weeks followed by medicines with medhya properties. This can help in improving the attention, concentration and memory.
• Specific medications for the underlying pathology should be followed.

Internal Medicines:

• Mustarishta , Pippalyasava, Draksharishta
• Astachoorna
• Krimighna vati
• Kooshmanda swarasa ghrita, Brahmikalyanaka ghrita as Samana snehapana
• Swetasankhupushpi choorna
• Saraswata choorna
• Saraswatarishtam with gold

Procedures:

• Often not necessary. Certain procedures are done if some behavioral issues are associated because of the underlying etiology
• Siro lepa
• Siropichu